MN: ‘513 days of waiting’ – Leao given ovation after ending home league drought

It had been a long time in coming, but the AC Milan fans were finally able to cheer a home league goal from Rafael Leao.

Milan had to come from behind against Fiorentina to win and go top of the table, but they had Leao to thank as they completed a second-half turnaround to win 2-1, after Robin Gosens had put the visitors ahead.

A long wait ends

MilanNews speak of ‘513 days of waiting’ for the Milanisti to be able to see a smile from Leao after a Serie A goal at San Siro. He was ‘the undisputed star’ of Milan’s comeback victory, with a brace that felt like both a personal liberation and a collective push towards the top of Serie A.

A long drought – too long for a player like him – was broken perhaps at the most crucial moment, the time of need, precisely when the team were most hopeful of their technical leader stepping up due to the numerous absences and the one-goal deficit.

After about 60 minutes of nothing, Leao suddenly came alive. The first goal was a bit of individual brilliance as he picked up possession in space, drove into more of it and curled one inside the far post. The winner has Milanisti thinking that the new penalty taker might be present.

🫶 Leao claps the Curva Sud and pats the Milan badge ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/mI5X5tpYjl

— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) October 19, 2025

At the moment he was taken off, San Siro couldn’t help but stand up and give Leao a standing ovation. The fans applauded him just as they had before the game, when the Curva Sud sang his name and he responded by patting the badge.

After the match, Leao dedicated this brace to his family and team-mates, stating in an interview with DAZN: “I dedicate this brace to my family and my teammates. They’ve always been there for me, even in difficult times. Today is a great joy, but I want to continue like this: Milan comes first.”

A sincere dedication, which speaks to the maturity of a player who was often (and still is) criticised for being too much himself. After 513 days of silence, Leao has returned to make San Siro roar, and Milan surged to the top with him.